Hump Day at FC Köln: Cordoba moves in, but will Modeste move out?

FC Köln’s big Wednesday

It was widely reported today (June 28) that Jhon Cordoba has moved from his place at FSV Mainz 05 to FC Köln (Cologne).

Cordoba, of Colombia, signed a 4-year-deal with his new club. The move not only brings the 24-year-old farther north geographically, but also way up on the Bundesliga table.

Köln finished the last season in fifth, just a few points out of Champions League eligibility. Mainz, conversely, barely escaped relegation.

Cordoba has been a tangible threat in the Mainz offense and that is what Köln is going to need in order to crack the top echelon of Bundesliga.

Modeste situation remains uncertain

But will FC Köln need more offense in the coming season? Or might the “Billy Goats” simply be in need of any offense in 2018?

The answer remains somewhat obscure. For over a month now the club have been facing the very real and imminent departure of their present top gun, Anthony Modeste.

As the club toured China a few weeks ago, it became clear that the 29-year-old French star was also looking over his potential new home.

Modeste has been with the club since 2015. He accounted for nearly two-thirds of his club’s total goals scored last term. He would be a huge loss, but he would also bring a huge transfer fee.

Aubameyang in play, again

Today, however, came a new announcement that negotiations for Modeste’s transfer to Tianjin Quanjian FChad stalled.

Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is now rumored to be at the top of the transfer list of the Chinese Super League club. Over the last few years, the CSL have proved to be an economic force with a juggernaut for a checkbook and a willingness to use it. Their goal?

Well, today, it’s the top Dortmund striker.

Tomorrow? Let’s just say that FIFA’s Club World Cup may actually turn into a serious contest before China’s top flight are through.

Köln poor, but happy?

The loss of a huge transfer fee for Modeste would be a big blow to the economics of Köln. But it might end up being good news sooner than fans might think.

That’s because catching up with the top 3 will require that Köln not transfer away what offense they have, but add more. That and also try and improve their defending. The club’s goal differential was positive over last season. But not nearly what it will need to be to propel them all the way to the top.

The top three clubs in fact did not so much score more than the Billy Goats as they did concede at least one third fewer than did Köln.

If Köln can hang to Modeste—he has threatened to go before only to defer to the medical needs of his young son—perhaps they can be the team to turn Bundesliga into more than a two horse race.

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